I spent part of the evening chatting with a fellow classmate about tonight’s launch of Modern Warfare 2. His wife is the GM of a local GameStop, so he had his pulse on all things MW2. She’d arranged a pre-launch tournament complete with big screens and a local band in the parking lot. I’m getting too old to stay out all night waiting for a video game (much as I’d love to!) so I came home and hit up Google instead.

I came across an Ars article outlining a few… changes in the Modern Warfare universe, most of which don’t seem to be making the fan base very happy. The article specifically focuses on the PC version of MW2, but outlines a few doosies:

• Total number of players = 18 (weak sauce)
• No tweakability
• No booting the bad guys out of the room
• Game-selected hosting with a five second delay should the Chosen One drop out

I’m not sure what I think about this. Superficially it sounds like a lot of people griping for no good reason. The more I think about it though, the more I can relate. Even though I’ve been primarily a console player for the last decade, part of the appeal in PC gaming is the ability to do pretty much whatever the hell you want to with a game.

Ars pointed out that it’s only a matter of time before the hacker community comes up with some workarounds, but should they have to? I’m sure the game will be great but does the studio really need to take away features that their customers and fans want?

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For those not in the know, the image to the left is of the original Warcraft. While I didn’t really play the first entry with anyone else it certainly prepped me for Warcraft 2, which I played the hell out of on many a LAN. My teenage years were full of hefting around beastly computers just so we could string piles of wires along the floor to play games like Warcraft 2, Quake, and Counterstrike. I’ve been playing socially since the early-to-mid 90s. Guess what? I never stopped playing single-player games.

I’ve spent a great deal of time since then playing lone wolf in games like Mass Effect and Final Fantasy. In fact, Final Fantasy XII has taken up most of my game time for the last several months. I’m a sucker for good story and I enjoy taking the time to flesh out and explore worlds like those found in Elder Scrolls.

That being said, I also consider myself to have sound business acumen. From the Kotaku article:

While successful, the addition of multiplayer to the multi-million unit selling BioShock may be illustrative of the changing expectations of consumers. If there’s little to do but replay a narrative-driven campaign, many gamers appear quite happy to resell their discs and move onto the next game.

What they’re saying is that BioShock 2 is pushing multiplayer something fierce. We won’t know if the single-player campaign is adversely affected until the game ships, but I prefer to put my faith in Bethesda. They made an awesome game in BioShock and I expect nothing less from the sequel.

However, I do understand the point-of-view of the publisher:

“The best way to combat people trading in your game is to simply make it better in whatever way works for you,” argues Todd Howard. “People trade in cars with poor value. Our DLC is a good way to add to the value of the base game and give folks yet another reason to keep playing.”

If your customer trades in that disc, then there’s one more used disc in circulation for someone else to purchase without having to purchase a shiny, new copy from the distributor – thus less revenue for the developer. Further, if the developer offers enough compelling content after the initial release then the more likely I am to purchase shiny, new downloadable content. Again, driving revenue for the developer.

In recapitulation, I don’t think single-player games are going anywhere. Nor do I fault developers for trying to blend cooperative modes with franchises or genres which are traditionally single player. So long as Sqeenix keeps making stand-alone Final Fantasy games, I’m all set.

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Goodness gracious, where does the time go? I was catching up on my Joystiq reading when I came across this little gem: A new MechWarrior game is on the way. I hope beyond hope that whatever is in the development pipeline is better than the half-baked MechAssault attempt on the original Xbox platform. MechAssault = Weak Sauce. I hearken to the days of FASA Studio and the stellar PC based MechWarrior games they produced. In ultimate geek mode, I even participated in a MechWarrior LARP for as long as our meager group was banded together. New MechWarrior teaser video embedded after the break.

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It’s 4:00-something in the morning. My twin boys just decided that I could have a few minutes to myself and I figured what better way to pass the time than crank out a blog post? I’m at the stage of stupid tired and didn’t want to think a whole lot about what to write… Then it hit me: What’s your favorite gaming quickie?

I haven’t yet mastered the art of playing while “on duty” and my on duty time is essentially nights and weekends. While I’d love to sit down and blow through some Mass Effect I have to understand that in all likelihood I’ll be called away (cried away?) from my console for extended periods.

I think some of the arcade titles are best suited for my prescribed scenario. Games like Uno and Turtles in Time seem to fit the bill pretty well. That being said, I’m interested in your take so sound off in the forums: What’s your 10 minute gamer craving fix?

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Fast forward to today and we’re talking about the Zune HD: Microsoft’s latest toy, delving deeper into the Apple (Ahem) pie crust of a sales chart. Microsoft is planting the hopes of the Zune – both as an idea and a product – squarely on the shoulders of Zune HD. As of today Zune HD is generally available. Today is also the day that Microsoft kills dead any Zune which isn’t branded “Zune HD”.

The Zune HD is a multifaceted gadget, for sure. Until the last few days though, Microsoft has remained tight-lipped about any planned integration with the Xbox 360 or potential portable gaming capabilities. The Zune is arguably the first mainstream device to use an OLED display. It’s internals are stuffed with the latest in mobile graphics hotness from nVidia. It can playback HD video and HD Radio, and can be connected to its music library via wifi. I think it’s clear that Microsoft is gunning straight for Apple’s jugular. I’m not sure how far Zune HD will go, but I do know that I love what I see. The device feels like sex, but in the palm of your hand. It pops like Weta Workshop Eye Candy. It has more features than my Great Grandfather could shake a stick at… Still, the largest potential as I see it is as a mobile gaming platform – a new console, if you will. Microsoft has confirmed a handful of games already, and has this (brief) juicy glimpse of 3D gaming on the device:

For the longest time I thought Apple was just plain loony for advertising the iPhone and iPod Touch as “game consoles”. I admit that there are some spunky, fun time killers in the iPhone ecosystem but I still don’t consider it a full-fledged platform optimized for gaming. The new Zune packs brand-spanking-new bleeding edge graphics HOTNESS. Seeing as how Microsoft has eliminated all other Zune models from the product line, it stands to reason that they’re unifying the hardware for just such a task: ensuring that a game is playable no matter what “version” of the hardware you have. Henceforward, Microsoft can precisely control the hardware specs to make sure that future models are backwards compatible, which should entice a number of game developers to hop on the bandwagon. If the holiday season is generous to the Zune moniker then I can see serious potential for competition with not only Apple on the media end, but Sony and Nintendo in the portable gaming space. Because Zune HD already uses its internal wifi for various networking tasks it would be a breeze for Microsoft to integrate some online gameplay or social gaming aspects. Imagine tapping into your Xbox Live friends list, joining a party chat, or even playing a game of Uno on your Zune, so long as you have a wifi connection.

For the first time I am finally gaining in clarity of understanding why hardware synergy exists. When I really slow down enough to think about it, I do take advantage of a great deal of previously impossible techno-widgets. While my personal affairs don’t leave much time for portable gaming, I can understand the market, and the want for some competition.

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D Eye brought a change in artistic direction to my attention. I’m not sure how I missed this, but Borderlands has apparently been converted into a cel-shaded adventure. He pointed out that while he doesn’t dislike cel-shading, he isn’t convinced that Borderlands will benefit from it. Particularly, he’s upset with certain game critics citing the new art style as the sole reason this game is now worthy of mention in their blog or magazine. More thoughts and embedded video after the break.

While I like the original artistic style shown off earlier this year, I don’t dislike the new direction. The trailer still seems pretty badass despite the distinct animation style:

Further, Borderlands is being developed in part by 2K Games which is sister companies with Rockstar. 2K doesn’t usually make crappy games so I’m prone to give their developers a little bit of leeway. The developer Gearbox appears to be doing most of the heavy lifting anyway, and their titles include the Brothers in Arms titles which aren’t exactly shabby. Despite developer talent or track records, I still ask the question…Does artistic style really matter?

I emphatically say ‘yes’.

I disagree with whomever D Eye was referencing as I was interested in this title from the get go. I don’t think the shift in direction is solely responsible for making this game “worthy” of praise. I think that a good game is a good game, and that judgment should be reserved for some serious hands-on time.

However, I do believe that art direction matters, and that we seldom see a title of any caliber that doesn’t have a purpose built artistic direction. In my mind I’m not sure if cel-shading would work for the Gears series, or for titles like Metal Gear Solid. Likewise, I don’t expect to see a 2D sprite-based Gears anytime soon.

So yes, artistic style matters. The good news for gamers is that artistic styles are usually locked into place and thoroughly plodded out long before any game play footage is shown off.

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We wouldn’t be Nimrods if a week went by without one of us breaking something. D Eye used his regularly scheduled Nimroidic Effort to break his Playstation 3 (PS3?) and ship it off to Texas. Little did he know that the planet-swallowing, fear mongering, galactically evil UPS would curtail his receiving experience.

As the story goes, UPS tried to deliver the package to D Eye’s house while he was at work. Before you ask, yes, D Eye has a job and yes, his income primarily pays for after hours “services rendered”. That, and fixing Playstations. Anyway, D Eye wasn’t there to sign for his ordinary brown box so UPS left behind their humongous business card which they so tactlessly adhere to one’s front door.

He called UPS to request a hold at his local UPS depot so he could run by there on his way home from work. UPS obliged, and the local customer center called him at 5:45 in the evening to inform him that his driver had returned for the day and that he could stop by before 7:00 to pick up his box.

He arrived at the depot precisely at 6:00, just in time to wait in a long ass line! When it’s finally his turn the person behind the counter informs him that his package isn’t there. D Eye calmly (calmly!) explained that this depot had called him, telling him to come get the box. The lady person reiterated that his package was not available because his driver hadn’t yet returned.

He and I spent the next forty-five minutes in the car talking all kinds of dirty smack and mumbo jumbo about everything we dislike in the world, pressing time right up to UPS’ 7:00 closing time. Again, D Eye was informed that his box wasn’t available, but that he’d be allowed to wait a little longer despite expired office hours.

Around 7:15 a young lady from the back office moseyed to the front to enquire of this box that was sitting right behind the office door leading out into the unloading docks. Lo and be-effing hold, it was D Eye’s magical Sony shipment! The witch person behind the counter was quick to reassure the both of us that she “knows her job” and that it must’ve just been dropped off.

Apparently this UPS Customer Center has some interoffice politicking going on because the lady from the back office was swift to slap down the counter person’s claims. She whooped out a piece of paper saying “No, see? The driver was in at 5:45. Says so right here. This box came off his truck at 5:46.”

So the lessons learned this day are:

1) Never trust a UPS person to ask for help from another office that’s less than 10 feet away.

2) Sony uses superior grade cardboard coffins to that of their competitors.

3) Take a picnic lunch when visiting UPS.

4) Never trust D Eye to pick up stuff. It was his bad karma that almost set the place on fire.

Of all the wonderful things I enjoy in this world, changing diapers and doing homework are not among them. One thing that is among my most-favoritists of all is watching my Dallas Cowboys play football. The NFL preseason is among us, which leads us to the fourth (fourth!) annual Team Nimrod Football League. I, for one, look forward to all of the mystical powers brought forward by getting rid of T.O. a mighty new stadium and crisp, fall air in the Dallas area. Something feels good about this season, and it isn’t the sweaty practice socks of Marion Barber that I keep under my pillow when I sleep.

A brief update on the Prime household, just to fill everyone in on the last few months. The two young-uns are coming along quite nicely. They’re pressing three-and-a-half months and continue to be every bit the handful any other parent can imagine them to be. They both have good reports from the doctor and are growing like weeds.

My schooling is coming along well. I’m officially a sophomore (!) and am continually grinding away at whatever class will fill a little checkbox on my school transcript as I march slowly towards obtaining a degree. Finding the appropriate amount of time to study and do homework has been quite the challenge between work, and the twins at home.

Lastly, my family and I had the disheartening task of burying my father in early July. Among the many blessings he gave to us, one I am very thankful for is my love of the Dallas Cowboys. My father was a lifelong Cowboys fan, and raised his children to be the same. The Cowboys were an institution in his house. So to him I tip my hat, and hope – right here on the front page – that the Dallas Cowboys can make something happen this season. I’m looking forward to kick-starting the TNFL for the fourth year. Best of luck to everyone participating.

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I’ll bet that anyone reading this story can share many fond memories of their original Nintendo console. For some, it may have been a member of the family. While we all can remember the old “pause the console until tomorrow morning because Ghouls N’ Ghosts is too freaking hard” technique, the Nintendo console at the focus of this article would have consumed twenty years’ worth of electricity. I wonder how much that would cost? I think I’ll have to consult my recent Duke Power bill for the rate conversion. Anyone know what the amperage was for the original NES?

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The Winston-Salem Nimrod Chapter had the pleasure of heading over to Raleigh on Valentine’s Day for a meet-and-greet with Troyski. We decided that the best way to deliver Troy’s GameStop gift card – his prize for winning our Super Bowl pool – would be to hand it to him in person! Horribly shocking, yet utterly refreshing.

Troy suggested we meet at a place called Rush Hour Karting just south of Raleigh, not too far from his home. Us Winston Folk hadn’t driven Go Karts in a great long time. Funk, D Eye, Aezuriel, and ParadoX piled in the back of my truck for the ride down I-40, all the way to a quaint, fairly nondescript warehouse-looking building. Troyski brought along two of his brothers making for eight in our group; which was perfect for a Sprint Series. The Sprint allowed for a warm-up and qualifier, followed by a 10 minute race. We went through a brief orientation (Safety First, D Eye…) before helmet selection. They gave all of us “head socks” to wear with the communal helmet, and required that we all wear neck braces. Aezuriel topped out the XXXL, but had to make do as XXXXL helmets are a special order kind of thing.

We were seated in the following karts:

One of the cool things I really favored is that they kept us in the same whips from qualifying to our race. We really didn’t have any komplaints complaints about the rides, except one minor nibble from D Eye, which we’ll discuss in a few… Oh, and the Dumba** listings above are Troyski’s brothers Tim and Chris.

For these races, the only thing that matters is time. Rush Hour uses your single-best lap time to determine placement. Our qualifying fell out like this:

Troyski really was hard to catch! Funk was riding his rear almost the entire qualifier, until I T-Boned him on the rib crack* corner. We were both on a hot lap, so that little mishap really dragged us down. Also, I can’t write this post without pointing out the irony of D Eye besting ParadoX. For non-Nimrods, y’all needn’t read too far into it. For Nimrods, though, I expect y’all are rolling on the floor right about now.

The Sprint Race results a a wee harder to decipher, so we’ll be posting the final results as soon as they’ve been clarified.

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